Modern Family’s Julie Bowen Reads From These 2 Books to Kickstart Her Morning

Julie Bowen is probably best known for playing one of America’s favorite TV moms of all time: Claire Dunphy from the ABC sitcom Modern Family. But the Primetime Emmy award-winning actress has been in many comedies throughout her career, most notably Adam Sandler’s beloved Happy Gilmore and soon-to-be Happy Gilmore 2 (coming out in 2025).

Funny as she is, Bowen decided this year to take a darker turn and try out the horror scene. She stars in the new psycho-thriller series Hysteria!, which premiered on Peacock on October 18. Her character, Linda Campbell, is a hairdresser and mom to a high schooler in a heavy metal band during the “satanic panic” of the late-1980s.

To keep up with the busyness of filming and traveling for press events for both Hysteria! and Happy Gilmore 2, Bowen holds true to her morning habits. Not only does she rely on mindful reads to keep her grounded, but she also makes sure to prioritize things like her eye, skin, and oral health.

We caught up with Bowen to walk us through her ideal morning routine. And it starts…still in bed.

She cuddles with her dog a little longer in bed

I am and always have been a morning person. It’s the best alone time you’ll ever get. Right now, my routine is a little upside-down because I’m traveling a lot, but typically, I get up around 5:30 or 6 a.m. I like to spend a few extra minutes in bed with my dog Gertie—that is her time for love and scratches. But then, I try to get out of bed as fast as possible.

Then she applies some eye drops

When I first go to the bathroom, I put in Xiidra eye drops, because I need at least 15 minutes before I can put my contact lenses in for the day. Then I’ll put on my glasses. I use [the drops] twice a day every day—in the morning and at night.

• Xiidra prescription-strength eyes drops. Ask your doctor about prescription and pricing information.
• Editor’s note: Bowen has chronic dry eye and has partnered with Bausch+Lomb to raise awareness around the condition.

Coffee is a must (or an alternative if she’s trying to cut back)

Usually, I’ll have already set the coffee maker the night before. I like my coffee black and strong; that’s all I care about. I do try to quit about once a year and usually succeed, but I go back when my schedule gets too crazy. Sometimes I’ll do this mushroom tea called MUDWTR—it’s pretty great I have to say. You do have to put a little almond milk or stevia in there, but I love the way it makes me feel.

While I’m drinking that, I look for any texts or emails I might’ve missed from the day before and write them in my little notebook.

• MUDWTR ($50)
• Stevia in the Raw ($10)

Pickleball is her new favorite workout

Just today, I had a gorgeous 90-minute pickleball session with my best friend and business partner, Rachel. We play singles, which is a brutal workout because you have to run for every ball. I don’t wear any special shoes or anything, just tennis shoes. My friends call me Derelicte from the Zoolander movie because I dress in whatever—sometimes a hole-y t-shirt and basketball shorts.

Though I did start wearing cute tennis skirts to pickleball. I also got my friends skorts from the Prince for Target collab. (Editor’s note: This was a limited-edition product that is no longer sold. The option below is a similar item.)

• Prince Women’s Match Pleated Tennis Skort ($50)

She’s not a breakfast person, but she does get her protein

I have a horrible habit I developed when my kids were babies where I would eat whatever is leftover from their plates. Now, I try to go with eggs and berries or a protein bar. I love Quest Protein Bars or the new Think! High Protein Bars—anything that tastes like peanut butter I could eat with both hands. I hate being hungry, so these are great for on the go.

• Quest Nutrition Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars ($23 for 12-count)
• Think! High Protein Creamy Peanut Butter Bars ($25 for 10-count)

After a shower, it’s time for skin and hair care

I used to have oily skin, but as I get older, it gets drier. I love the Weleda Skin Food—it’s an ultra-rich face cream that feels like a paste, it’s the best. I’ve also got a couple vitamin C serums on rotation and then I use Supergoop! sunscreen. Or I’ll use IT Cosmetics Nude Glow CC cream if I want to feel more pulled together. It’s sheer enough, but evens out my freckles.

• Weleda Skin Food Face Care Nourishing Day Cream ($21)
• Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 ($38)
• IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Foundation ($47)

Another joy of getting older is that your hair doesn’t get as greasy, so I can get a couple more days out of [unwashed] hair. But sometimes I use Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray; it’s really great for fine hair like mine.

• Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($26)

She takes her dental health seriously

I’m a phrenetic flosser, so I always keep those floss picks or little brushes you stick between your teeth in my bag or car. And I’ve been using my same Oral-B electric toothbrush and just change out the heads.

• Oral-B Pro 5000 Smartseries Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush ($89)

Reading helps her stay grounded

I’ve gotten super into reading. I’m a nerd and am really into the Stoics, like Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and The Daily Stoic book and podcast. One of the key things both talk about is owning your morning. Stoicism gets a bad rap because it sounds cold, but it’s really about controlling the things you can and letting go of things you can’t.

• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius ($12)
• The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday ($13)

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.